If you have some time to spare, previous visitors recommend spending a few hours roaming Curieuse Island, home to the Curieuse Marine National Park. Sitting just off the northern coast of Praslin, this nearly 2-square-mile island acts as a giant free-range zoo dominated by the national heavyweight — the Seychellois tortoise. As one of the largest types of tortoise on the planet, these giants clock in at 300 to 600 pounds. While visiting Curieuse, you can stroll alongside these mammoth animals as they meander through the park's coco-de-mer trees. Curieuse Marine National Park also features some worthwhile strips of sand, numerous hiking trails and the remains of a former leper colony that now acts as a museum and historic site.

According to one TripAdvisor user, "We loved playing with the giant tortoises and [it] was definitely an experience of a lifetime!" However, not all visitors were as over-the-moon about their experience, noting that the must-see tortoises can be found on more accessible islands, including Praslin and La Digue.

Many travel experts recommend booking a guided tour to Curieuse Island through your hotel or with a local guide. If you wish to visit on your own, you will need to charter a yacht or rent a boat, as Seychelles' ferry system doesn't service the island. You can visit Curieuse Marine National Park every day; the park's ranger base is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission costs 200 SCR (around $17 USD) per person. Note: You cannot stay overnight on Curieuse Island, as there are no hotels, campsites or eateries. To learn more, visit the Seychelles Tourism Board's Curieuse Marine National Park page.